MediaTek is working with Google and Reliance Jio to launch Android Go devices

MediaTek also says it is working with homegrown smartphone brands like Micromax, Karbonn and Lava for Android Go devices.

Reliance Jio is in talks with MediaTek and Google to support smartphones powered by the upcoming Android Oreo (Go edition). TL Lee, General Manager, Mediatek confirmed the news at an event held to showcase the company’s newest products, including the MT6739 chipset and a biosensor.

Google announced Android Oreo (Go edition) at the company’s ‘Google For India’ event last month in New Delhi. The search giant confirmed that the operating system will be supported by both Qualcomm and MediaTek, the leading chipmakers for smartphones. The first set of Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphones are expected to come from homegrown smartphone brands like Micromax, Karbonn, Lava and Intex.

Micromax has already confirmed that it will launch Bharat Go, the first smartphone based on the Go edition this month. At the event today, MediaTek confirmed that it is working with Lava, Micromax, Karbonn and others for Android Oreo (Go edition) devices.

The company also showcased MediaTek MT6739, a cost-effective quad-core chipset with ARM Cortex-A53 cores, which could power the Android Oreo (Go edition) devices. MediaTek says that Android Go devices will come in two storage variants: 512MB RAM model with 4GB internal storage and 1GB RAM model with 8GB storage.

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The base 512MB RAM devices will offer up to FWVGA resolution displays while the devices with 1GB RAM will offer better HD+ displays. The smartphones based on Android Go will come with up to a 13-megapixel camera at the back and an 8-megapixel camera at the front. The phones will support WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and Cat 5 LTE modem for 4G connectivity.

The MediaTek MT6739 chipset was first showcased at India Mobile Congress last year but has been tweaked to support new features such as 18:9 display with HD+ resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels and a combination of 13-megapixel and 2-megapixel dual-camera system. It will also support dual-VoLTE and face unlock features. MediaTek says India is the biggest market for its chipsets.

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The new 4G phones running Android Oreo (Go edition) are expected to be priced at under Rs 2,000 when they on sale in India. The devices are seen as an opportunity to connect the next billion users for Google while Reliance Jio could benefit by offering super fast data connectivity to many more subscribers.